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March 15th, 2012
10:33 PM ET
Feds grant Native American tribe permit to kill bald eagles for religious purposesBy Eric Fiegel, CNN Washington (CNN) - It's the symbol of America, and for the first time, the U.S. government has granted a Native American tribe a permit to kill two bald eagles for religious purposes. The permit application was filed in 2008 by the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming and, after years of review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued it on March 9.
"They did make a case for why the take of a bird from the wild was necessary," Matt Hogan, Denver regional director for the Fish and Wildlife Service, told CNN. Last year, the tribe filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the federal government for denying the application, saying it "unreasonably burdens the religious rights of tribal members," court documents stated. The case is pending. Hogan, who was in charge of granting the permit, says the lawsuit was not the reason the permit got approved when it did. He says it took time to make sure all the criteria were met and that the permit was in accordance with the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which allows bald eagles to be used by Native Americans in religious ceremonies. The eagle "flies higher then any other creature. It sees many things. It's closer to the Creator," said Robert Holden, deputy director of the National Congress of American Indians. Holden said he was bothered by the comments he was hearing: that this permit would lead to a mass killing of bald eagles. "How stupid can that be?" he said. "It's a religion. It's what we do. We're more concerned about the eagle population than any culture in this Western Hemisphere. Why would we want to kill all the eagles?" Hogan said the permit's issuance will have little effect on the powerful raptor. Taking two eagles from the wild "will not in any way jeopardize the status of the eagle population, either in the state of Wyoming or nationwide," he said, "and the good news is bald eagles are doing quite well." That wasn't the case some 70 years ago, when the species was threatened with extinction, leading Congress to pass a law prohibiting the killing, selling or possession of the bird. In 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the threatened and endangered species list. Hogan said applications for a permit to kill or capture a bald eagle are rare. Native Americans often have to get bald eagle feathers for their ceremonies from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife national feather repository in Denver. Hogan said it can take years for the tribes to get the feathers this way, because demand often exceeds supply. Holden, who is part Choetaw/Shickasaw, sought to put some perspective on the situation: "If someone ordered a Bible or some religious artifact and they had to wait for a long time, how fair is that?" The permit is good until February 2013, and Hogan said he knows of no other applications being filed. As part of permit, the tribe has to notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 24 hours once the bald eagles are killed or captured. Hogan said he is still waiting for that word. soundoff (1,883 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Next »
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Prayer changes things .
Hmmm. Which has done more harm, I wonder – religious beliefs (always based on unprovable mythologies), or atheism. And secondly, it is possible to be a good person without believing in any deity or deities.
@JSutton – its funny how you ask that, every atheist I have met, are either from a broken home, have some trouble or run in with the law, did not have a mommy or daddy who loved them, who was bullied all throughout their life. so on and so on, one thing I can say for religion in today's world, is that is helps the poor and the one who can't help themselves. No you tell me which is worse, a person who has no belief in ANYTHING, even not in them self, Or someone who is confident about their religion and them self that goes out of their way to help?
Bullsheet award.................
c
@JSutton – its funny how you ask that, every atheist I have met, are either from a broken home, have some trouble or run in with the law, did not have a mommy or daddy who loved them, who was bullied all throughout their life. so on and so on, one thing I can say for religion in today's world, is that is helps the poor and the one who can't help themselves. No you tell me which is worse, a person who has no belief in ANYTHING, even not in them self, Or someone who is confident about their religion and them self that goes out of their way to help?
Possibly one of the lamest things I've ever heard. Unfreakin' believable. What next?
*** The eagle "flies higher then any other creature. It sees many things. It's closer to the Creator,"
So we kill it !
Great logic there.
The Federal Govt will grant the killing of Eagles on religious grounds but will not grant an exemption to Cathilic oraganzations on the contreception issue.. Double Standard?
Great Point
Are these people for real? The American Eagle is our national symbol of freedom and most important to our nation, yet two innocent eagles will be killed for a religious ceremony? That is utter insanity. I always thought the Native American people stood for life, justice, and righteousness; guess I was mistaken. Shame on this tribe and SHAME on our American officials who granted the permit. May you always walk with blood on your hands.
Freedom?? What rock have you been living under. There is "Freedom" "True Freedom" for only a few people. This nation is bassackwards.
I can't believe this would get any criticism. They are called Native Americans for a reason. They honor this and every other creature more then we ever could. No one gives a damn when they litter or cut down trees or anything else that directly affects all animals including this one. The eagle was not in danger of extinction until we arrived. When you all actually care about something other then stuffing your fat face with that cow you just killed then you can pretend to care about anything other then yourself.
How sickening that these people will be allowed to kill some of nature's most beautiful creatures in the name of "religion."
And where is the PETA... Naturally it is Obama so they are a "NO SHOW"
Moron.
No permit to hunt republicans ?
Too bad.
Obama's fault again huh? LOL. Please go watch Game Plan and &$@^ off.
@Larry, I think by saying your an experienced fed eagle law enforcer is only making you out to be a liar of the United States Government. Everyone knows that you feds will say anything to make your point sound!!! How about using some facts there you flake.
Kinda reminds me of those indigenous tribes in Canada that like to club baby seals to death. This is totally unnecessary – leave the birds alone. They have as much right to live as the native americans.
Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant, you seem to think. Thesealing industry in Canada is not native-based, but involves non-native and native hunters from primarily Newfoundland and Labrador. Irresponsible animal "rights" groups have carried out a propaganda campaign for years to deprive these people of their livelihoods. Seems okay to send millions of cows to the slaughterhouse every year, among other examples, but if you want to hunt the seal to make a living it's somehow a sin. What a bunch of hypocrites.
Dianne, you don't know what you are talking about ! it is not native Indians who are clubbing the puppy seals but white stupid Newfoundlanders!!
Sorry Dianne, but it was the Europeans that began the culling of baby seals. The Inuit use adult seals for clothing. These seals eat huge amounts of caplin...a feeder fish for Halibut, Cod etc. If it wasn't for the seal cull, then many of the species you enjoy to eat at your favorite restaurants would have been gone way before now. Seals are prolific breeders and this cull is necessary; so much so that now caplin is endangered.
Great Post Netreacher. Great Post!!!
No it's not ok to send millions of animals to the slaughterhouse every year. Nor are factory farms "ok". And native peoples are involved in the seal beatings. Check your facts before you rant.
This is total BS.! What happens when the next tribe decides that they want to kill another endagered species? Where does it end? We need to stop the constant divisiveness going in in this country.
@ jackdaw who said "Oh, well, good for you. Maybe if you were a part of a soverign nation who's land had been stolen by white-eyes you would feel differently."
Please, give it a rest! I am so tired of these arguments. There isn't a piece of land on this planet that hasn't been fought over and conquered! If that wasn't the case then there wouldn't be countries, languages and cultures. We would be exactly the same and speaking one language. Nice dream but it's not reality.
You must have not read the article, it states that the American Bald Eagle was taken off the endangered list a few years ago.
@C
That is the only thing you took from my post? So it is off the endagered list now. So what?
Why didn`t these Indians need eagles before? Why could they wait since 2008 till now? Where was their religion during that time? Why do we allow barbarities in the name of religion freedom? This has nothing to do with freedom.
For thousands of years the Native North Americans killed the Bald Eagle for their religious rites. It was the "new comers" that literally wiped out animals for fun. i.e. the Buffalo, Passenger Pigeon etc.....the list goes on. I think now that the Bald Eagle is recovering in numbers, the 1st Nations should be allowed to take what they need. As far as I am concerned they only killed for food and wasted nothing. Terrorism on our shores didn't begin in the 20th & 21st centuries .... the 1st Nation people have been fighting terrorism since 1492-3. I am a non-native and my ancestors can shoulder some of the blame as well.
If they did it for thousands of years, it still don`t make it right. Moreover your Native Americans are not natives, they came from Africa via Asia.
Funny that the people who show they have the best understanding of our environment and how we interact with it need a permit to do what they've been doing for centuries. Government at it's best no doubt.
What understanding? Nomads settle an area, use up all the resources and move elsewhere. It is simply a matter of survival. The notion of respect never entered the equation. Natives called the land Pachamama and considered the earth to own them, not because of respect of the environment but because earth gave them everything they needed to live.
NO one has the right to KILL anything (or any one) for a so-called ritual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never understood why "native" americans think they are above the law, expect special rights etc. this is absolute BS!
Shut up about something you obviously know nothing about.
Check the laws – we do have the righ tto kill animals and Native Americans are not above the law but have beeen oppressed by the law. Read some history and hunting and fishing regualtions.
Gays expect more special rights than the Native people of this land.
Ignorance is why we have Libraries and other means of Educating yourself. Native Americans never feel there above everyone else, we've been under the foot of US Goverment.
Maybe we think we should have special rights because we were here first and ya'll can pack your bags and leave... 🙂
Just my humble opinion. Nothing more nothing less...
who are you to say that we have the rights to TAKE AWAY their rights to hunt? Now, let's think about who has killed more stuff after the migration to America, the Indians or the Europeans? Next time, please think before you talk.
Because they were here(and have been practicing this) way before your white ancestors showed up and killed most of the Native tribes.
compumom,
just go to the store and have some cow, pork or bologna. let someone do the killing for you
*** Another Moron ***
Not So anonymous
Gays expect more special rights than the Native people of this land.
Eventhough the tribes want to kill for religious reasons – the issue is not religion so you atheists (who are so logical) need to get a grip. This is an issue about wildlife management and the rights of Native Americans which I will remind you that the US government oppressed
The US did commit the worlds larges genicide when it wiped out most of the Indians and stole their land. Whats a few birds here and there.
The worlds largest genocide was the holocaust, a fact you would be familiar with had you ever read a book.
actually NO, look up how many Native Americans were killed. Its just the US doesnt consider it a genocide so they get away with it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocides_in_history#United_States_of_America
The thing I dont understand is why they had to apply for this in the first place. Their reservation is supposed to be a soverign nation. If the bird flies onto their land, they can blow it up and we shouldn't be able to say anything about it. Although I realize that this i the American government we are talking about, and they think that they control everything.
The US government gets into religion whenever they want. I thought they were seperate.........Oh yea,,marrage was a religious thing too, but the government is making that their business.......... I guess the seperation of church and state is a myth.....
I don't like this idea of killing two bald Eagle, they should get the feathers, the same as usual, from the dept, of U.S. Fish and Wildlife services...........why kill these Eagles.........makes no sense, to me.............just to make a head dress.........
I am not in favor of this.........so please don't kill these beautiful birds of prey...........long live the Bald Eagle........peace out.
THIS IS A TRADITION OF THE TRUE OWNERS OF WHAT WE NOW DEEM OURS. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DO IT. WE THE EAGLES HAVE A RESPECT TO THOSE WHO HONOR US IN A WAY YOU WOULD NEVER UNDERSTAND.
Killing an eagle in order to worship its grandeur? Don't they get a stronger religious jolt by watching them fly free against the blue sky? Native Americans have a long and ugly history of killing and selling eagles unlawfully. Sometimes they get caught but most of the time they don't. I say when they all stop the illegal killing then they can come to the table for a talk. Let's have history record that all people make wiser choices as we learn from our past mistakes. We did with DDT now it's the Indians turn to make the right choice. And Matt Hogan can be a leader instead of a co-conspirator by denying such outrageous requests. Sincerely, experienced fed eagle law enforcer.
Agreed, leave the eagles alone
@Larry, I think by saying your an experienced fed eagle law enforcer is only making you out to be a liar of the United States Government. Everyone knows that you feds will say anything to make your point sound!!! How about using some facts there you flake.